Life in Santa Clara... That sends a shiver up my spine.

As was already said, it depends on what you want. I lived in SF for a few years and then moved to the South Bay because I got tired of commuting to my job down there. Bought a house, tried to settle in but just couldn't take a life in the burbs. When the social center is the mall (Valley Fair, Santa Row) or bookstore, good grief.... Sucked. Moved back to the City after 2 years.
I have friends and family dotted all over the Penninsula/South Bay, they're cool people, and they love it. Most are pretty settled (married, kids), don't like to get out much, and prefer more suburbanite activity, so it suits them just fine.
But if you like to get out, see bands, want to check out a variety of events, galleries, without the driving hassle, then SF is the place to be. SF has such a great energy because everything is concentrated in such a small area- you're in the thick of it all the time!

Thanks for the update. I must have misunderstood the Happy Hollow closure thing to be permanent. I was taken there a lot as a wee laddie and my sister took her kids there when they were small. I always liked that it was more like a giant playground than an amusement park.

Looks like Happy Hollow is back and better:
http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_14689326

^^^
It's not a bad place to kill a few hours.

I think this thread needs a Places to eat in San Jose. I'm running out of options.

Hmm, where do you recommend in South Bay?

The problem is...is that I can't recommend any place.

^ pretty much, though I did just finally try out Amatos, they make a pretty decent cheese steak

oh and if you're near Sunnyvale you have got to try Tao Tao's Chinese food, get the Tao Tao beef it's seriously mouth watering

Pho Garden on Castro St. is good, slightly better than Pho Hoa further down the street. They just opened recently.

Anyone up for the Pho Challenge?

Oh, also Maruichi and Ryowa are in the area- ramen. Both excellent. My g/f and I disagree on which one is better.

I heard Pho Garden opened up in Mountain View.
My roommate and I both tried the challenge at the original store in SF.
Big epic FAILS!
But to me, their pho isn't the greatest compared to other options in the city.
Not sure how the one in MV is though.
As for me, I like Ryowa slightly better.

going to SushiOSushi on Friday for lunch. anyone been there?

If it's this place, it ain't bad.
From what I remember, they have some fresh ingredients.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-o-sushi-j ... anta-clara

But I think you should drop by 99 Chicken a few doors down instead.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/99-chicken-santa-clara
Some good Korean style fried chicken!

On the BBQ front.

The pulled pork sandwich at Sam's BBQ is good.
Uncle Franks in Mt. View is better but hard to go to with a kid.

I went years ago. From what I remember, it was ok.

But more importantly I used to live down the street from this place. Kirkland, make sure to be jealous of my old neighborhood compared to your own. Santa Clara > SF

awesome. I'll be looking in peoples backyards for the 7' tall birdfeeders...lol.....